Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 11.9M in South Sudan (ranked 81/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 243,990 sq mi for South Sudan (ranked 40th vs. 41st).
By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and South Sudan ranks 149/197 ($12B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while South Sudan ranks 175/197 ($1,080).
Main facts and rankings
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
45409324
|
12507858
|
| Population rank | 36/197 | 80/197 |
| GDP |
$17.2B
2023 |
$12B
2015 |
| GDP rank | 137/197 | 149/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$414
2023 |
$1,080
2015 |
| GDP per capita rank | 196/197 | 175/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$2,202
2023 |
$1,155
2015 |
| Government debt |
$1.44B
2023 |
$7.04B
2015 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
8.8%
2024 |
50.7%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$34.8
2023 |
$633
2015 |
| Government debt per person rank | 185/185 | 158/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,869
2026 |
$1,305
2026 |
| Land area | 251,827 sq mi | 243,990 sq mi |
| Population density |
179 ppl/mi²
2026 |
51 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
4.84
2023 |
3.86
2023 |
| Median age |
18.2 years
2024 |
19.4 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
66.8 years
2026 |
58 years
2026 |
Afghanistan and South Sudan: Comparison Charts
Afghanistan and South Sudan economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2023 | $17,152,234,637 | - |
| 2022 | $14,497,243,872 | - |
| 2021 | $14,259,995,441 | - |
| 2020 | $19,955,929,052 | - |
| 2019 | $18,799,444,490 | - |
| 2018 | $18,053,222,687 | - |
| 2017 | $18,753,456,498 | - |
| 2016 | $18,116,572,395 | - |
| 2015 | $19,134,221,645 | $11,997,800,760 |
| 2014 | $20,497,128,556 | $13,962,212,847 |
| 2013 | $20,146,416,758 | $18,426,469,017 |
| 2012 | $19,907,329,778 | $11,931,472,169 |
| 2011 | $17,805,098,206 | $14,907,308,933 |
| 2010 | $15,856,668,556 | $14,602,072,411 |
| 2009 | $12,416,152,732 | $12,231,264,525 |
| 2008 | $10,109,297,048 | $14,586,253,383 |
| 2007 | $9,747,886,187 | - |
| 2006 | $6,971,758,282 | - |
| 2005 | $6,203,256,539 | - |
| 2004 | $5,224,896,719 | - |
| 2003 | $4,520,946,819 | - |
| 2002 | $3,825,701,439 | - |
| 2001 | $2,813,571,754 | - |
| 2000 | $3,521,418,060 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-sudan | CC BY 
Afghanistan and South Sudan economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2023 | $414 | - |
| 2022 | $357 | - |
| 2021 | $356 | - |
| 2020 | $511 | - |
| 2019 | $497 | - |
| 2018 | $491 | - |
| 2017 | $525 | - |
| 2016 | $522 | - |
| 2015 | $566 | $1,080 |
| 2014 | $625 | $1,243 |
| 2013 | $637 | $1,650 |
| 2012 | $651 | $1,109 |
| 2011 | $607 | $1,449 |
| 2010 | $561 | $1,498 |
| 2009 | $452 | $1,323 |
| 2008 | $382 | $1,654 |
| 2007 | $376 | - |
| 2006 | $274.2 | - |
| 2005 | $254.2 | - |
| 2004 | $221.8 | - |
| 2003 | $198.9 | - |
| 2002 | $179 | - |
| 2001 | $138.7 | - |
| 2000 | $174.9 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-sudan | CC BY
Afghanistan vs. South Sudan life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2026 | 66.8 | 58 |
| 2025 | 66.5 | 57.9 |
| 2024 | 66.3 | 57.7 |
| 2023 | 66 | 57.6 |
| 2022 | 65.6 | 57.2 |
| 2021 | 60.4 | 57 |
| 2020 | 61.5 | 57.6 |
| 2019 | 62.9 | 58.1 |
| 2018 | 62.4 | 51.9 |
| 2017 | 62.4 | 35.4 |
| 2016 | 62.6 | 36.7 |
| 2015 | 62.3 | 39.8 |
| 2014 | 62.3 | 45.6 |
| 2013 | 62.2 | 58.3 |
| 2012 | 61.7 | 58.2 |
| 2011 | 61.3 | 57.7 |
| 2010 | 60.7 | 57.5 |
| 2009 | 60.2 | 56.8 |
| 2008 | 59.7 | 56.3 |
| 2007 | 59 | 55.4 |
| 2006 | 58.6 | 54.7 |
| 2005 | 58.2 | 54 |
| 2004 | 57.8 | 53.1 |
| 2003 | 57.2 | 52.3 |
| 2002 | 56.2 | 49.4 |
| 2001 | 55.5 | 48.6 |
| 2000 | 55 | 47.6 |
| 1999 | 54.5 | 44.5 |
| 1998 | 52.5 | 19 |
| 1997 | 53.2 | 33.1 |
| 1996 | 52.8 | 32.1 |
| 1995 | 52.1 | 31.5 |
| 1994 | 51 | 44.9 |
| 1993 | 51 | 22.3 |
| 1992 | 46.6 | 21.9 |
| 1991 | 45.5 | 29.2 |
| 1990 | 45.1 | 28.6 |
| 1989 | 44.5 | 28.2 |
| 1988 | 43.2 | 11 |
| 1987 | 38.8 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 38.4 | 32.8 |
| 1985 | 32.1 | 32.4 |
| 1984 | 31.5 | 31.8 |
| 1983 | 36.5 | 34.7 |
| 1982 | 36.1 | 38.7 |
| 1981 | 39.4 | 38.3 |
| 1980 | 39.3 | 38 |
| 1979 | 38.8 | 37.8 |
| 1978 | 40.1 | 37.6 |
| 1977 | 41.1 | 37.4 |
| 1976 | 40.5 | 37.1 |
| 1975 | 40 | 36.9 |
| 1974 | 39.5 | 36.6 |
| 1973 | 39 | 36.3 |
| 1972 | 38.4 | 31.3 |
| 1971 | 37.9 | 31 |
| 1970 | 37.5 | 25.6 |
| 1969 | 37 | 25.4 |
| 1968 | 36.5 | 26.1 |
| 1967 | 36 | 25.9 |
| 1966 | 35.6 | 25.6 |
| 1965 | 35.1 | 28.8 |
| 1964 | 34.7 | 32.5 |
| 1963 | 34.2 | 28.2 |
| 1962 | 33.8 | 28.5 |
| 1961 | 33.3 | 28.3 |
| 1960 | 32.8 | 28.1 |
| 1959 | 32.3 | 27.8 |
| 1958 | 31.8 | 27.6 |
| 1957 | 31.3 | 30.9 |
| 1956 | 30.8 | 31.6 |
| 1955 | 30.4 | 32 |
| 1954 | 29.7 | 31.7 |
| 1953 | 29.5 | 31.4 |
| 1952 | 29 | 31 |
| 1951 | 28.6 | 30.6 |
| 1950 | 28.2 | 30.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-sudan | CC BY
Afghanistan and South Sudan population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | 42,647,492 | 11,943,408 |
| 2023 | 41,454,761 | 11,483,374 |
| 2022 | 40,578,842 | 11,021,177 |
| 2021 | 40,000,412 | 10,865,780 |
| 2020 | 39,068,979 | 10,698,467 |
| 2019 | 37,856,121 | 10,423,384 |
| 2018 | 36,743,039 | 10,122,977 |
| 2017 | 35,688,935 | 10,259,154 |
| 2016 | 34,700,612 | 10,830,102 |
| 2015 | 33,831,764 | 11,107,561 |
| 2014 | 32,792,523 | 11,235,073 |
| 2013 | 31,622,704 | 11,166,275 |
| 2012 | 30,560,034 | 10,756,240 |
| 2011 | 29,347,708 | 10,288,109 |
| 2010 | 28,284,089 | 9,745,953 |
| 2009 | 27,466,101 | 9,243,556 |
| 2008 | 26,482,622 | 8,817,647 |
| 2007 | 25,909,852 | 8,388,788 |
| 2006 | 25,424,094 | 7,976,526 |
| 2005 | 24,404,567 | 7,590,143 |
| 2004 | 23,560,654 | 7,233,041 |
| 2003 | 22,733,049 | 6,903,127 |
| 2002 | 21,378,117 | 6,596,806 |
| 2001 | 20,284,307 | 6,308,391 |
| 2000 | 20,130,327 | 6,032,267 |
| 1999 | 19,887,785 | 5,771,628 |
| 1998 | 19,159,996 | 5,620,068 |
| 1997 | 18,452,091 | 5,509,136 |
| 1996 | 17,763,266 | 5,356,925 |
| 1995 | 17,065,836 | 5,225,836 |
| 1994 | 16,250,794 | 5,071,184 |
| 1993 | 14,943,172 | 4,956,002 |
| 1992 | 13,278,974 | 4,909,749 |
| 1991 | 12,238,879 | 4,836,677 |
| 1990 | 12,045,660 | 4,737,633 |
| 1989 | 11,874,088 | 4,713,229 |
| 1988 | 11,523,298 | 4,848,029 |
| 1987 | 11,387,818 | 4,962,395 |
| 1986 | 11,420,074 | 4,921,240 |
| 1985 | 11,426,852 | 4,834,296 |
| 1984 | 11,190,221 | 4,750,627 |
| 1983 | 10,917,982 | 4,661,574 |
| 1982 | 10,991,378 | 4,557,686 |
| 1981 | 11,937,581 | 4,447,272 |
| 1980 | 13,169,311 | 4,339,030 |
| 1979 | 13,655,567 | 4,232,605 |
| 1978 | 13,611,441 | 4,127,657 |
| 1977 | 13,340,756 | 4,024,032 |
| 1976 | 13,059,851 | 3,921,910 |
| 1975 | 12,773,954 | 3,821,494 |
| 1974 | 12,469,127 | 3,723,259 |
| 1973 | 12,157,999 | 3,627,383 |
| 1972 | 11,853,696 | 3,542,497 |
| 1971 | 11,567,667 | 3,468,646 |
| 1970 | 11,290,128 | 3,409,614 |
| 1969 | 11,017,409 | 3,365,533 |
| 1968 | 10,756,922 | 3,321,528 |
| 1967 | 10,505,959 | 3,277,648 |
| 1966 | 10,266,395 | 3,236,423 |
| 1965 | 10,036,008 | 3,189,835 |
| 1964 | 9,814,318 | 3,129,918 |
| 1963 | 9,604,487 | 3,072,669 |
| 1962 | 9,404,406 | 3,024,308 |
| 1961 | 9,214,083 | 2,976,724 |
| 1960 | 9,035,043 | 2,931,559 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-sudan | CC BY
Fertility rates in Afghanistan and South Sudan
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2023 | 4.84 | 3.86 |
| 2022 | 4.93 | 3.96 |
| 2021 | 5.04 | 4.05 |
| 2020 | 5.15 | 4.16 |
| 2019 | 5.24 | 4.26 |
| 2018 | 5.33 | 4.37 |
| 2017 | 5.43 | 4.48 |
| 2016 | 5.54 | 4.58 |
| 2015 | 5.65 | 4.7 |
| 2014 | 5.77 | 4.82 |
| 2013 | 5.88 | 4.94 |
| 2012 | 5.99 | 5.06 |
| 2011 | 6.09 | 5.19 |
| 2010 | 6.2 | 5.32 |
| 2009 | 6.3 | 5.45 |
| 2008 | 6.39 | 5.57 |
| 2007 | 6.51 | 5.7 |
| 2006 | 6.69 | 5.85 |
| 2005 | 6.86 | 6.02 |
| 2004 | 7.02 | 6.19 |
| 2003 | 7.17 | 6.35 |
| 2002 | 7.32 | 6.52 |
| 2001 | 7.45 | 6.65 |
| 2000 | 7.57 | 6.8 |
| 1999 | 7.64 | 6.94 |
| 1998 | 7.69 | 7.08 |
| 1997 | 7.73 | 7.2 |
| 1996 | 7.76 | 7.32 |
| 1995 | 7.77 | 7.34 |
| 1994 | 7.77 | 7.35 |
| 1993 | 7.76 | 7.36 |
| 1992 | 7.7 | 7.37 |
| 1991 | 7.63 | 7.38 |
| 1990 | 7.58 | 7.38 |
| 1989 | 7.56 | 7.37 |
| 1988 | 7.55 | 7.38 |
| 1987 | 7.55 | 7.39 |
| 1986 | 7.55 | 7.38 |
| 1985 | 7.55 | 7.36 |
| 1984 | 7.55 | 7.35 |
| 1983 | 7.57 | 7.34 |
| 1982 | 7.6 | 7.34 |
| 1981 | 7.62 | 7.33 |
| 1980 | 7.64 | 7.33 |
| 1979 | 7.61 | 7.32 |
| 1978 | 7.6 | 7.33 |
| 1977 | 7.59 | 7.33 |
| 1976 | 7.56 | 7.33 |
| 1975 | 7.54 | 7.33 |
| 1974 | 7.53 | 7.31 |
| 1973 | 7.49 | 7.31 |
| 1972 | 7.45 | 7.31 |
| 1971 | 7.43 | 7.3 |
| 1970 | 7.4 | 7.29 |
| 1969 | 7.39 | 7.28 |
| 1968 | 7.36 | 7.26 |
| 1967 | 7.34 | 7.26 |
| 1966 | 7.32 | 7.25 |
| 1965 | 7.31 | 7.22 |
| 1964 | 7.3 | 7.22 |
| 1963 | 7.3 | 7.2 |
| 1962 | 7.29 | 7.2 |
| 1961 | 7.28 | 7.18 |
| 1960 | 7.28 | 7.16 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-sudan | CC BY
Afghanistan and South Sudan demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
| 2024 | 18.2 | 19.4 |
| 2023 | 18 | 19 |
| 2022 | 17.8 | 18.7 |
| 2021 | 17.6 | 18.4 |
| 2020 | 17.5 | 18.2 |
| 2019 | 17.3 | 17.8 |
| 2018 | 17.1 | 17.3 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17.4 |
| 2016 | 16.8 | 18.2 |
| 2015 | 16.6 | 18.6 |
| 2014 | 16.4 | 19 |
| 2013 | 16.2 | 19.3 |
| 2012 | 16 | 19.2 |
| 2011 | 15.9 | 19 |
| 2010 | 15.7 | 18.7 |
| 2009 | 15.5 | 18.4 |
| 2008 | 15.3 | 18.2 |
| 2007 | 15.2 | 18 |
| 2006 | 15.1 | 17.8 |
| 2005 | 15 | 17.6 |
| 2004 | 14.9 | 17.4 |
| 2003 | 14.9 | 17.3 |
| 2002 | 14.9 | 17.3 |
| 2001 | 14.9 | 17.3 |
| 2000 | 15 | 17.2 |
| 1999 | 15.1 | 17.1 |
| 1998 | 15.2 | 17 |
| 1997 | 15.3 | 16.9 |
| 1996 | 15.5 | 16.9 |
| 1995 | 15.6 | 16.9 |
| 1994 | 15.7 | 16.9 |
| 1993 | 15.8 | 16.9 |
| 1992 | 15.9 | 17 |
| 1991 | 16 | 17 |
| 1990 | 16.1 | 17 |
| 1989 | 16.1 | 17.1 |
| 1988 | 16.2 | 16.8 |
| 1987 | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| 1986 | 16.3 | 16.6 |
| 1985 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| 1984 | 16.5 | 16.8 |
| 1983 | 16.6 | 16.8 |
| 1982 | 16.7 | 16.9 |
| 1981 | 16.8 | 17 |
| 1980 | 16.9 | 17.1 |
| 1979 | 17 | 17.1 |
| 1978 | 17.2 | 17.2 |
| 1977 | 17.3 | 17.2 |
| 1976 | 17.4 | 17.3 |
| 1975 | 17.5 | 17.4 |
| 1974 | 17.6 | 17.4 |
| 1973 | 17.7 | 17.5 |
| 1972 | 17.8 | 17.5 |
| 1971 | 17.9 | 17.6 |
| 1970 | 18.1 | 17.7 |
| 1969 | 18.2 | 17.9 |
| 1968 | 18.3 | 18 |
| 1967 | 18.4 | 18.2 |
| 1966 | 18.5 | 18.3 |
| 1965 | 18.6 | 18.3 |
| 1964 | 18.6 | 18.4 |
| 1963 | 18.7 | 18.4 |
| 1962 | 18.8 | 18.5 |
| 1961 | 18.9 | 18.5 |
| 1960 | 18.9 | 18.6 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-sudan | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Afghanistan and South Sudan.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$15.5B
2023 |
$11.7B
2015 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
19.4%
2024 |
18.1%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
4.34%
2017 |
1.57%
2016 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.83%
2021 |
1.96%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
165,000
2020 |
53,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-0.54%
2024 |
+11.7%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.68%
2021 |
12.3%
2008 |
| Services, % of GDP |
46.4%
2023 |
56.6%
2015 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
13.4%
2023 |
33.1%
2015 |
| Economic freedom index |
53
2021 |
41
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% | n/a |
33%
2016 |
| Income share by poorest 10% | n/a |
1.8%
2016 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$9.75B
2020 |
$72.9M
2023 |
| Personal remittances received |
$320M
2024 |
$1.14B
2024 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
5.08%
2020 |
0.39%
2018 |
| Banked people share |
9.65%
2021 |
5.83%
2021 |
Energy
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita | n/a |
69 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$15.1
2015 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
12.1 megatons
2024 |
n/a |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.28 tons
2024 |
n/a |
| Fossil fuel energy use share | n/a |
73.4%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
20%
2022 |
32.4%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
0.4%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-860%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
46.9 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
78.2%
2021 |
0.34%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
71.7%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
85.3%
2023 |
5.4%
2023 |
Society
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.52%
2024 |
0.15%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-74,404
2025 |
+6,145
2025 |
| Urban population |
25.7%
2024 |
21.4%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50.5:49.5
2024 |
49.2:50.8
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.53 ft
2025 |
n/a |
| Average female height |
5.12 ft
2025 |
n/a |
| Quality of life index |
15.5
2026 |
4.76
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
16
2025 |
9
2025 |
| Higher education index |
20
2026 |
14
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.02
2021 |
14.1
2012 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
15.9
2019 |
36.7
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
36
2025 |
50
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
37.3%
2021 |
34.5%
2018 |
| English speaking |
6%
2023 |
94%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
17.7%
2023 |
9.27%
2020 |
Health
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$59.1
2023 |
$72.8
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$45.6
2023 |
$19.7
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
66.8 years
2026 |
58 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
21.2%
2023 |
62.3%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.32
2023 |
0.04
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19.9 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
521
2023 |
692
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
55.5
2023 |
98.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
19.6%
2022 |
8.79%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
11.7%
2024 |
4.6%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
3
2026 |
22
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
22.7%
2022 |
n/a |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0.01 liters
2020 |
n/a |
Territory
|
Afghanistan
|
South Sudan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.44%
2026 |
0.42%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
5,905 sq mi
2024 |
20,429 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
147,167 sq mi
2026 |
109,449 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
4,666 sq mi
2026 |
27,633 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
21,688 mi
2021 |
n/a |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2015–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2021, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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